Juanita Porras Gaytan

Juanita Porras Gaytan, age 70, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026. Born on August 1, 1955, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Felix Porras Sr. and Gloria Duenes, she was raised in her hometown and built a life centered on love and family.

She was married to her beloved husband, Raul Franco, for 48 years. Juanita worked for many years at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, where she took great pride in her dedication and service. Above all, she was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who filled her home with warmth, laughter, and the comforting scents of her cooking and baking.

She will be remembered for her deep love and devotion to her family, her joyful laughter, quick sense of humor, and generous heart. Juanita found great happiness in cooking, baking, crafting, and other hobbies that brought joy to everyone around her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Felix Porras Sr. and Gloria Duenes; her grandfather, Emeterio Rendon Garza; her grandmother, Virginia Calderon Garza; her brothers, Rafael Garza Porras and Felix Porras Jr.; and her sister, Evangelina Porras Cantu. She is survived by her husband, Raul Franco; her brother, Jesse Duenes Sr. (Martha); her children, Reymundo Gaytan Jr. (Christina), Gloria Gaytan Torres (Martin), Joe Dean Gaytan (Rosa), and Veronica Franco; her stepchildren, Melissa Franco Abrigo (Edward), Elisa Franco, and Raul Franco Jr.; her grandchildren, Valerie Marie Whidden (Bruce), Reymundo Gaytan III (Brandie), Joe Ray Gaytan (Heather), Eusebio Matthew Flores IV, Samantha Marie Gaytan, and Mila Raelynn Moreno; her step-grandchildren, Tabitha Vasquez Flores (William), Janelle Flores, Jesse Flores Jr., Luis Aguirre, and Derek Abrigo; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.